Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

Clear filters

10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 18261–18270

EB-1AEB-1A · MembershipNot established

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Membership

membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's associations did not require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts. Membership in these organizations was open based on interest, experience, or participation — not judged by experts — and the Petitioner provided no legal authority to disregard the plain language of the criterion.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's associations did not require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts. Membership in these organizations was open based on interest, experience, or participation — not judged by experts — and the Petitioner provided no legal authority to disregard the plain language of the criterion.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=20016
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

past record of achievement justifying waiver

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner did not demonstrate a past record of achievement at a level that would justify waiving the job offer requirement. New materials, including a local county-level award nomination, did not establish this level of achievement.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
The petitioner did not demonstrate a past record of achievement at a level that would justify waiving the job offer requirement. New materials, including a local county-level award nomination, did not establish this level of achievement.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_03_B5203; source_row=20028
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

national interest substantially greater than U.S. worker

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Petitioner's limited publication record (two poster presentations and one journal article) and reference letters failed to show that his work has actually influenced the field as a whole. Letters were unsubstantiated and conclusory, predicting future impact rather than demonstrating present influence.…

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
The Petitioner's limited publication record (two poster presentations and one journal article) and reference letters failed to show that his work has actually influenced the field as a whole. Letters were unsubstantiated and conclusory, predicting future impact rather than demonstrating present influence. Performing original research that adds to the general pool of knowledge does not inherently justify a national interest waiver.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_02_B5203; source_row=20026
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Social Sciences

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why AAO was not persuaded

The petitioner's work as a special education teacher has not been shown to be national in scope. New materials submitted on motion did not cure this deficiency.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
The petitioner's work as a special education teacher has not been shown to be national in scope. New materials submitted on motion did not cure this deficiency.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_03_B5203; source_row=20027
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · Leading / critical roleEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · Leading / critical role

leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner played a critical role for his employer, a major oilfield services company with a multitude of global clients and a distinguished reputation, supported by multiple reference letters attesting to the critical nature of his work.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner played a critical role for his employer, a major oilfield services company with a multitude of global clients and a distinguished reputation, supported by multiple reference letters attesting to the critical nature of his work.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=20018
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
EB-1AEB-1A · High remunerationEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

EB-1A · High remuneration

high salary or significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's salary met this criterion, with the W-2 evidence and information added to the record by the Director sufficiently supporting the finding.

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
AAO agreed with the Director that the Petitioner's salary met this criterion, with the W-2 evidence and information added to the record by the Director sufficiently supporting the finding.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_01_B2203; source_row=20019
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

national in scope

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found that the proposed benefits of the Petitioner's research on breast milk would be national in scope.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO found that the proposed benefits of the Petitioner's research on breast milk would be national in scope.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_02_B5203; source_row=20025
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceEstablishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial intrinsic merit

Why the evidence was persuasive

AAO found the Petitioner's work as a physician is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO found the Petitioner's work as a physician is in an area of substantial intrinsic merit.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_02_B5203; source_row=20024
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · EB-2 baselineNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · EB-2 baseline

advanced degree documentation requirement

Why AAO was not persuaded

The Ohio medical license listing the Petitioner's medical education is not an official academic record. Because the Petitioner neither submitted the required primary evidence nor demonstrated its unavailability, he may not rely on secondary evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(2).

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The Ohio medical license listing the Petitioner's medical education is not an official academic record. Because the Petitioner neither submitted the required primary evidence nor demonstrated its unavailability, he may not rely on secondary evidence under 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(2).
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_02_B5203; source_row=20023
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWotherNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

OtherBachelor’s

Issue evaluated

other

Minimum educational requirements per labor certification

Why AAO was not persuaded

The labor certification requires a bachelor's degree in the specified fields or a bachelor's degree in any major with approximately two semesters of coursework in those fields. The Beneficiary's bachelor's degree is in Japanese literature with only eight units of economics, and her associate's degree in accounting is a separate lesser degree. Combining multiple lesser credentials cannot substitute for a single U.S.…

Why this is useful

Use the reasoning to identify the specific factual or documentary gap AAO considered material.

View full reasoning +
The labor certification requires a bachelor's degree in the specified fields or a bachelor's degree in any major with approximately two semesters of coursework in those fields. The Beneficiary's bachelor's degree is in Japanese literature with only eight units of economics, and her associate's degree in accounting is a separate lesser degree. Combining multiple lesser credentials cannot substitute for a single U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent degree in the required field, and H.14's boilerplate language does not change the plain requirements of the labor certification.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2016-01-08_01_B5203; source_row=20021
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
← Back to assessment